import java.util.Scanner;

public class Test1 {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);
        int n = scan.nextInt();
        int[] array = new int[n+1];
        for (int i = 0; i < array.length-1; i++) {
            array[i] = scan.nextInt();
        }
        int i = 0;
        int count = 0;
        while (i < n){
            if(array[i] > array[i+1]){
                while (i < n && array[i] > array[i+1]){
                    i++;
                }
                count++;
                i++;
            }else if(array[i] == array[i+1]){
                i++;
            }else {
                while (i < n && array[i] < array[i+1]){
                    i++;
                }
                count++;
                i++;
            }
        }
        System.out.println(count);
    }
}
